Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A machine tool having a motor connectable to rotate a spindle, wherein the improvement comprises, spindle rotational means including, first and second torque couplings with said first coupling connected between said motor and said spindle to rotate the spindle directly in proportion to the motor speed and said second coupling connected to said spindle to establish a different speed condition of said spindle, means to partially engage each of said torque couplings for torque transmission therethrough, and means to control the relative average torque transmission of said first and second torque couplings to rotate said spindle from said motor at a speed slower than rotation of said spindle from said motor by actuation of said first torque coupling without actuation of said second torque coupling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A machine tool having a motor connectable to rotate a spindle, wherein the improvement comprises, spindle rotational means including, first and second torque couplings with said first coupling connected between said motor and said spindle to rotate the spindle directly in proportion to the motor speed and said second coupling connected to said spindle to establish a different speed condition of said spindle, means to partially engage each of said torque couplings for torque transmission therethrough, and means to control the relative average torque transmission of said first and second torque couplings to rotate said spindle from said motor at a speed slower than rotation of said spindle from said motor by actuation of said first torque coupling without actuation of said second torque coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first torque coupling is a clutch and said second torque coupling is a brake.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said partial engaging means includes means to develop a variable first control signal, means to develop a variable second control signal, and means to apply said first and second control signals to control partial actuation of said first and second torque couplings, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second torque couplings are electrically controllable clutches and brakes, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means includes means to establish a desired speed of rotation signal of said spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 5, wherein said control means includes feedback means connected to be responsive to the speed of rotation of said spindle, and means to compare said desired speed signal with said feedback signal to obtain an error signal controlling said torque couplings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first control signal development means develops a pulse width modulated control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second control signal development means develops a pulse width modulated control signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein said application means includes means to combine said first and second control signals into a common signal having three states.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 9, wherein said common signal is a DC signal having three different levels including zero and two different levels of the same polarity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 10, wherein said two different levels of the same polarity establish a pulse width modulated control signal for each of the first and second torque couplings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1, including spindle angular positioning means to establish the stopped position of the spindle in a predetermined angular position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 12, wherein said angular positioning means includes means to sense the speed of rotation of said spindle, and reference means to determine a particular rotational position of said spindle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 12, wherein said angular positioning means includes position sensing means and position holding means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 14, wherein said position holding means is a positive lock on the rotational position of said spindle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 14, wherein said position holding means includes said second torque coupling being a friction brake, and includes means to de-actuate said first torque coupling and to actuate said friction brake.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 14, wherein said position sensing and position holding means includes a disc rotatable in accordance with said spindle and having a peripheral notch, and a plunger engageable with said notch to establish the spindle in a particular angular position when engaged in said notch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 17, including means to urge said plunger toward engagement with said disc.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first and second torque couplings are a clutch and brake, respectively, and said position sensing and holding means includes means responsive to said plunger engaging said notch to de-actuate said clutch and to actuate said brake.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 19, wherein said plunger responsive means includes switch means connected to be responsive to movement of said plunger.